A shell attack by Myanmar's military, which killed dozens of militants with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), threatens to halt a fragile process of peace talks between the two sides.
The KIA announced that 23 cadres were killed after a shell was fired on them from government positions. The cadres were undertaking military training exercises at the time and takes place after the latest round of peace talks between the two sides ended on September 27 without an agreement being reached.
Kachin State's security minister, Col Than Aung, was reported by the BBC as saying the KIA was “mistakenly hit” and the firing of the shell had been intended as a warning shot.
Mong Gwang, a captain with the Kachin Independence Army, condemned the attack. “We are outraged,” he said. “This means further conflict is coming.”
The KIA's second-in-command General Gun Maw commented on the attack stating it was intended to force concessions in peace talks. He went on to add that the KIA has indications that Myanmar's military is preparing for a wider offensive against the group, with troops and heavy weapons being moved into the Shan state.
The United Nationalities Federal Council, a coalition of ethnic groups, released a statement on Thursday, saying the military had “deliberately planned and fired” the shell at the KIA, and questioned the government's “genuine desire” for peace.
“This has caused a tremendous obstacle in building trust,” said the group.
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